Pyotr Andreyich Grinyov (the narrative is conduc­ted on his behalf) is the only surviving child of a reti­red army officer. When Pyotr turns 17, his father sends him into military service in Orenburg. En route Pyotr gets lost in a blizzard, but is rescued by a mysterious man. As a to­ken of his gratitude, Pyotr gives the guide his hareskin coat. Arriving in Orenburg, Pyotr reports to his commanding offi­cer and is assigned to serve at Fort Belogorsky under captain Ivan Mironov. The fort is little more than